LAHORE: Religiopolitical groups of all schools of thought are observing Friday (today) as a black day against the French magazine which republished blasphemous caricatures of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

The Tehreek Hurmat-i-Rasool, a conglomerate of 20 plus groups, Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamatud Dawa, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F, Jamiat Ulema-i-Pakistan, Sunni Tehreek and Sunni Ittehad Council also announced on Thursday launching a countrywide protest movement against the publication.

The movement will begin with a grand protest at Chauburji in the provincial metropolis after Friday prayers.

Tehreek Hurmat-i-Rasool chief Maulana Amir Hamza said if 40 European countries could unite to show solidarity with the journal, all 57 Muslim countries should also unite for safeguarding the sanctity of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

He urged the leaders of all the Muslim countries to demand an international law against the blasphemy that hurt feelings of over 1.5bn people worldwide.

JuD emir Hafiz Saeed called upon the Ulema to sensitise the people through Friday sermons of the blasphemous acts and conspiracies of Christians and Jews against Islam and hold peaceful protests outside mosques after the prayers.

JUI-F’s Maulana Amjad Khan calls for convening a Muslim leaders’ conference.

JI emir Sirajul Haq also announced a countrywide protest against the publication while speaking to party leaders in Peshawar.

PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri demanded a meeting of the OIC as well as urging the UN, European Union and French government to take notice of the blasphemy which had nothing to do with the freedom of expression as the heinous act had violated fundamental rights of the Muslims.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2015

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